HEALTH partners in Gloucestershire are once again urging people to only use A&E and 999 if their condition is life threatening or very serious during planned industrial action this week. 

On Monday (February 6), RCN members at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are set to strike, along with GMB Union members at South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS). 

Then, on Tuesday (February 7), RCN members at Gloucestershire Hospitals are again involved in industrial action.

And on Thursday, members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) will take strike action at Gloucestershire Hospitals and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. 

The NHS says the strikes will pose “substantial challenges” to both emergency and planned care, and that the highest priority will be to care for those “in most immediate and urgent need”.

However, patients who have a planned hospital operation, procedure or outpatient appointment on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday should attend as usual unless they hear otherwise.

A statement says: “On Monday, life threatening calls and other very serious conditions that may require urgent assessment will continue to be responded to, but other calls will have to be prioritised accordingly with longer waits expected.

“NHS leaders have warned that local NHS services, including hospitals, are already under significant pressure due in large part to a rise in seasonal illness, COVID-19 and related staffing pressures.”

It adds that while partners are working to free up as much bed space as possible to ensure they can receive patients, the strikes come amid a recent rise in seasonal illness and sick patients who need specialist care, many of which have complex needs. 

The trusts are also planning to provide as much pre-arranged care as possible, but have warned that some services may have to be rearranged. 

Relatives and carers are asked to work with staff to get their loved ones home from hospital “as quickly and as safely as possible”, with additional support, if necessary, from community services or adult social care teams.

Chief Medical Officer at NHS Gloucestershire, Dr Andy Seymour said:“One Gloucestershire health and care partners are working closely together to ensure those in greatest need continue to have access to high quality care.

“However, we need to be very clear that the coming days are going to be very challenging for those providing care and we are going to need the public’s continuing support as well.

“If it’s not a life threatening condition or a serious injury, we are urging people to think very carefully about their healthcare options and get advice when needed from NHS 111 and ASAP Glos NHS. Advice will also be available through local NHS social media channels.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank the great majority of local people who continue to access services responsibly and are following the advice offered by the local NHS.”